Audrey West

Well, thanks to the downturn, I have enough free time to go to Chicago for ASLA Conference. I hope I can meet with you at Alumni Reunion on Friday at 8 PM. Your comments are inspiring. When this dark recession started to fully manifest, it made me think “why our universities keep producing many landscape architects while the profession is so…[Read more]

The ASLA Student Awards were announced today, and this one looks germane to the topic of Therapeutic Landscapes:

Residential Design Category HONOR AWARD
The Productive Landscape: Urban Housing for Autistic Adults
John Gough, Student ASLA, and Adam C. Nordfors, Student ASLA
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Faculty adviser: Kim Steele

I…[Read more]

I like new name of the group. Word healing reminds me also of the
intrinsic values of nature, and therapeutic more of practice specific for humans. So it seems this name includes both, healing power of nature by itself and horticulture therapy gardens made by human hands. Bye

Kim, I have seen some examples in Charleston, SC that are using some green street technologies such as curbside bioretention and permeable pavers. I would look up Liberty Hills and Oak Terrace Preserve which I believe are both in North Charleston. Here are some pics:

Does anyone know of any implemented green streets in the Southeast? We are completing a project in Nashville in the next few weeks and wondering if there are others?

I’ve used a variety of green roof techniques which have been more or less successful. I’m gathering information about what folks have done with green walls, the materails they have used and their success. I’ve read quite a bit about Patrick Blanc’s work but keep wondering about maintenance and costs. I’m currently looking into the nonwoven…[Read more]

This really is the time to start new things. During past down turns, many new, small firms grew, new ideas explored and new energy was built upon. Seattle will soon be updating the neighborhood plans. This is an opportunity to look again at where we live and work and provide leadership in making the right improvements. Much progress has been…[Read more]

Check out Land8Lounge member Jason King’s review of Esther Sternberg’s new book, Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being. An excellent review of an excellent new book.

Wow Oona, you hit the nail on the head!

This is so true for some many talented and tenacious people.

I’m wondering/learning/realizing that if we just “let go” and start going with our gut on design and planning choices instead of going with the rubber stamp, that we get taken care of by the money gods. It’s happening for me right now. I’m…[Read more]

I am pulling together a maintenance manual for a design studio that wants to install storm water mitigation in its projects. After reading widely, I have noticed that most information has the same maintenance guidelines. I find it difficult to believe that if sedimentation must be cleaned out 4-5 times a year from an in-street planter in Portland,…[Read more]

I hear you Michael! I thankfully still have a job, but am afraid to think outside the box – since I might lose my job because of it.

Hi Noriko,

Thank you! What a great post. Many people are finding themselves out of work at this time, but I think that this economic downturn is going to foster incredible creativity in those that don’t find themselves gainfully employed by an established firm. The time is NOW to really get out there and think differently about our land and our…[Read more]

I graduated in 2008 (last year) am working at EDAW in Seattle. I lost contact with most of my classmates and am wondering how they are doing. I am wondering what I can do to contribute for the community that is suffering gravely due to the poor economy.

I like to share this document on sustainable site design. SSI_Guidelines_Draft_2008.pdf

Here is another recent article from BuildingGreen.com regarding LEED changes : http://www.buildinggreen.com/live/index.cfm/2009/7/28/New-LEED-AP-Exam-Writer-Tells-All.

intheleed.com also has some good explainations:
http://www.intheleed.com/what-exactly-is-the-credential-maintenance-program-for-leed/

Go to the link below to download the “Credentialing Maintenance Program Guide” valid for July 2009 from USGBC – this is the official document addressing credentialling maintenance.
http://www.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3665

Just got an e-mail regarding GBCI Credentialing Maintenance Program for those of us that have been accredited without specialization under the old system. Was wondering if anyone has dug deeper into what this really means for us and if upgrading to a specialization will pay off in the end?

Just slid into this group. Many of the Washington State funded building design projects require a LEED certification. I’ve been involved in the number of LEED workshops on projects for community colleges in the state. I am not up to speed on the newer landscape/site related LEED certification. I know from past projects, the landscape/site related…[Read more]

And new InformeDesign article review on Children’s Use of Accessible Playgrounds.